Why I Like Tuesdays

So I have a job. Did I mention I have a job? I have a job with the City of Salem until the end of October. I've been adjusting to my schedule. It turns out that jobs take a lot of time. Fortunately I love mine and here's one reason why. It's called Tuesday.

Every Tuesday Chris and I do sampling on Detroit Lake. Chris is my coworker who I do most of my work with. The watershed monitoring program only has two employees. One is me. The other is Chris. We work together quite well. I will not post a picture of him today because I have not asked him if he minds having his picture put up on the internet. I doubt he does, but it's best to ask. 

So, now that I've oh so briefly introduced Chris, here is some of what I saw last Tuesday. 

Proud mamma and baby ducks at the log boom, our first sample site of the day. (Chris took this picture for my as my hands were full of cable.)

Here's picture of me doing a water quality profile at our second site of the day, heater creek. (Chris also took this picture) 

Oh yeah, and by the way, I'M ON A BOAT!

...and look who's hanging out.

A guest joins us when we stop for a snack.

Awkward adolescent Mergansers! 

Proud mamma Merganser with her teenagers.

Baby duck and the last site of the day (Brietenbush Arm.)

The ducks and geese at Breitenbush arm of Detroit Lake are extremely bold. I'm told they will hope right up in your boat with you, and I believe it. 

A few places to explore in Portand

Leach Botanical Garden
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Powell Butte Nature Park
Lauralhurst Park
Pittock Mansion
Pittock Bird Sanctuary

On The Way Back From Snow

On the way back from the snow, there were pretty mountains. I took their picture.

There was a pretty river too, but every picture that I took turned out like this...

...or this...

My failed attempts to photograph the pretty river resulted in rage. Andrew tried to console me, "you're very pretty, Jenny."

"Well then I'll take a picture of myself. Don't need no stupid river pictures anyways."

I got pictures of me... and Sarah.

Back into the fog.

You must read the whole sign not just the Ruth part, which is what originally got my attention. 

 Back in Seattle, I took at nap. Then Sarah and I took a walk.

Capital hill has lots of lovely houses. 

Sarah

I bet you can't guess where I am.

Me on a camel.

Sarah on a camel

Sarah is very regal on a camel

There was a beautiful sunset. I took pictures of it.

Then we decided to take pictures of us instead.

Another picture of us!

I'm not sure what she's up too.

She's trying to look innocent. Now I really don't trust her.

A Snow Adventure With Sarah and Andrew (Stevens Pass, WA)

8:30 am We're going on a road trip.

Sarah - Yeah! Road trip.

Look, fog!

More fog!

Yep, that's right even more fog

Then all of a sudden, we drove right out of the fog.

There is usually snow along the road up here. We began to worry about the snow at Steven Pass. I maintained hope. Andrew pointed to a very dirty chunk of ice/snow. "There will be snow," he said, "it just might look like that." Harumph.

Ooh,  mountains!

See there's snow up there. 

We have arrived. See, I told you, snow.

Sarah

Andrew

Sarah

Hmmm....
The snow had a thick crust of ice on it so we left the snow shoes in the car. That might have been a mistake.

Sarah and me hiking up the road.

The things with the play buttons on them are videos. You should click on them.

Andrew- I'm cool

What an attractive snow bank.

Sarah and I clime the snow bank. It's steeper than it looks. Also quite slippery.

Yes, I am regal. Notice Sarah clambering up the hill on all fours. 

Beautiful mountain view.

Sarah and Andrew looking extremely cool

Sarah- Yay!
Me- The sun is blinding me.

Sisters admiring the view

Ooh, more igloos.

The igloos must be explored

Hee heee. We're in the igloos

Sarah- arrr. My igloo.
Me - hi!

What are you doing, Sarah?